This could be a classic local football season. The longtime “Big Three” in the NIC-10 now looks like a big six, with Belvidere North, Auburn and Guilford joining eight-time champ Boylan, Harlem and Hononegah as title threats. And more contenders also has meant more big-time college prospects.

Boylan’s Demry Croft has signed with Minnesota to become the first local Big Ten QB recruit in 25 years. And he’s not alone. Illinois has made offers to Auburn junior receiver/defensive back Juwuane Parchman and sophomore offensive tackle Vederian Lowe, the grandson of Auburn track coach Jerry Lowe.

Belvidere North’s Jace Bankord, who set the NIC-10 passing record last year, is being recruited by Division I-AA Drake. Several MAC schools are looking at Freeport’s Steve McShane, the league’s first junior to rush for 2,000 yards.

Even the Big Northern has a probable future Division I player in Lutheran junior running back James Robinson. And Northwestern defensive end Dean Lowry (Boylan), South Alabama running back Tyreis Thomas (Boylan) and NIU’s Austin Smaha (Belvidere North) and Ty Harmston (Stockton) are already in college. Harmston is the first Division I recruit out of the NUIC in recent memory.

2015 is Cubs year

The last-place Cubs are somehow having a dream season, as in their dreams no longer look far off. Javier Baez has four homers in his first 11 games. Young building blocks Anthony Rizzo (143 OPS-plus) and Starlin Castro (111) are having their best seasons. Jake Arrieta (2.77 ERA) and rookie Kyle Hendricks (1.73 ERA in six starts) look like two young aces. Kris Bryant has 40 homers at Class AA and AAA. Bryant and Jorge Soler could both be in the majors as soon as September. The Cubs could contend as soon as next year.

Bears get 3rd WR

The Bears just made another nice off-season move by picking up former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. Holmes dropped to only 456 yards in 11 games last year, but averaged a career-high 19.8 yards per catch. Even if he does nothing more than that, he would be a much-needed explosive third receiving threat behind arguably the NFL’s best duo of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.